They say artists often suffer from a difficult second album, never quite enjoying the same level of success after an initial hit. After the now cult-classic "G in a Gi," Ralek Gracie returns with a track that doesn't quite live up to the hype. 

The jiu-jitsu black belt, Gracie family member, troubled submission grappling event promoter, MMA fighter, and noted rapper released the track "Torch" today. 



The stark black and white visuals of the video match the stripped-down beat, a thudding, crunching guitar riff that lumbers with little break for almost five minutes. 

Ralek's lyrics take almost a back seat to the beat here, layered below the rhythmic pace of the music. Classic rap cliches find their way through, but the message is hard to make out. It seems this is more of an affirmation for Ralek's benefit than the listeners', reminding himself of his position and vocation versus dazzling fans with wordplay. 

The video is a low-budget affair, far below the glossy visuals of "G in a Gi." The extended jiu-jitsu clips hint at Ralek returning to his roots -- the rest of the time, he's by himself (with the exception of the training clips). There are no crowds of people dancing in clubs, and no skits. 

Musically, it has little of the catchiness of "G in a Gi" and is unlikely to retain the same repeat-play value. You'll listen to it maybe once and move on with your life. 

If Ralek has more musical projects up his sleeve, I'm eager to hear them, but one can't help but feel the well-documented difficult times he's had over the last couple of years have taken his music in a darker, less playful direction.

"Torch" by Ralek Gracie can be purchased for $1.99 here